Ryan and Taylor first met in 2014 while working at the University Center Club, where Taylor was Ryan's boss. While there, the two laid the foundation for a beautiful friendship until Ryan left to pursue another job opportunity. Thinking they would never see one another again, it was a pleasant surprise when they ran into each other while out with friends the following year. They spent the evening catching up as if they were the only ones in the room until the night ended, and they went their separate ways. Unsure once more if their paths would cross again, fate had its way in 2016 when they ended up in the same Spanish II. Ryan says he was already seated when Taylor walked in, locked eyes, and slowly made his way to the desk next to him. Taylor, however, says Ryan entered the classroom after him and eagerly chose the seat next to him. Regardless of which story you believe, this Spanish II class is where their friendship blossomed into something more. When they grabbed lunch after class, they caught themselves staring at each other, both asking why but neither willing to admit that they were falling in love. Everything came to fruition for them during a trip to Universal Studios for Halloween Horror Nights. Out at a show the first night, the two were more captivated by each other than the entertainment on stage, and this is when they shared their first kiss. When they returned to Tallahassee, Taylor invited Ryan to get a drink on November 4, 2016. Eager to reunite with his best friend, Ryan was shocked when he arrived and saw Taylor with all his friends. Taylor introduced Ryan as his boyfriend, and everything fell into place. They met their families, went to New York City for New Year's Eve on their first big trip together, and adopted their first fur baby, a beautiful tortoiseshell cat named Gamora.

It was like a fairytale - everything that Ryan had ever dreamt of and more. The couple landed in New York City on April 21, 2022, for the trip of a lifetime with some of their closest friends. It was Ryan’s birthday, so they spent the afternoon savoring the city, exploring the MET and eventually taking a stroll through Central Park. Unbeknownst to Ryan, one of their friends snuck off to arrange hundreds of rose petals inside of an elegant cast-iron gazebo on the lake. This gorgeous Victorian gazebo had the most magical view of the city, and the sight took Ryan’s breath away. Then Taylor got down on one knee and asked the question that would change their lives forever. Without hesitation Ryan said yes, and their friends appeared immediately with champagne to celebrate. After that Taylor surprised his forever princess once again with a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park. They reminisced on the past and dreamed about their beautiful future together. The blissful couple then met back up with their friends at Balthazar, a famous French brassiere restaurant in Soho. They sipped champagne and ate a delicious meal, and the owner of the restaurant even gave Ryan a signed copy of their exclusive cookbook. The rest of the weekend was spent cherishing the occasion with friends, eating the most excellent food, laughing at hilarious comedy shows and attending a concert at Madison Square Garden. Capping it all off was an enchanting performance of the Broadway classic, “The Phantom of the Opera.” Let the dream begin!